To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has for ensuring an adequate supply of highly enriched uranium to fuel four replacement ballistic missile submarines; and what the projected cost is of these plans. (108860)

We are considering options to ensure the supply of highly enriched uranium to fuel replacement ballistic missile submarines. The broad-order cost of such a requirement is reflected in the overall estimate of £15 billion-20 billion indicated in the White Paper (CM 6994) published on 4 December. At this very early stage in the procurement process, we are not in a position to break down these estimates in the way requested.